Assistive Listening System

Abstract

The present disclosure describes methods and systems that can allow a digital signal processor (DSP) in an ultrasonic audio system to be adjusted according to a listener's preferences. In one embodiment, the listener or user can attempt to configure a DSP through a plurality of user interfaces. In another embodiment, the listener can provide an audiogram, previously generated by an audiologist, and send said audiogram to the manufacturer in order to adjust the DSP in the ultrasonic sound system to his/her hearing preferences.

1 ) An assistive listening device, comprising:
 a digital signal processor (“DSP”);   a signal source operatively coupled to the DSP;   an amplifier operatively coupled to the DSP;   at least one ultrasonic emitter operatively coupled to the DSP;   a hearing profile module, operatively coupled to the DSP, the hearing profile module and the DSP being cooperatively capable of receiving a unique hearing profile reflecting a user's range of hearing to thereby determine which frequencies the user has difficulty hearing, and are capable of adjusting an outgoing frequency response, equalization, compression, and/or volume so as to enable hearing by the user of frequencies indicated by the hearing profile as problematic;   a remote computing device containing the user's unique hearing profile; and   a communication module in communication with the remote computing device and the hearing profile module; wherein   the remote computing device i) allows the user to load the personalized hearing profile through the communication module to the hearing profile module to thereby adjust the settings of the assisted listening device according to the personalized hearing profile, and ii) allows the user to manually configure the DSP to optimize the assisted listening device for the user's hearing deficiencies.   
     
     
         2 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         3 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         4 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein the remote computing device includes a personal computer. 
     
     
         5 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein the remote computing device includes a smart phone. 
     
     
         6 ) A method of providing hearing assistance to a hearing impaired person, comprising:
 obtaining a unique hearing profile reflecting ranges of frequencies for which a user has hearing deficiencies;   providing an assisted listening device having at least one ultrasonic emitter, an amplifier, a digital signal processor (“DSP”) and a signal source;   loading the unique hearing profile onto the DSP; and   based on the unique hearing profile, adjusting one or more sound characteristics of sounds falling within the ranges of frequencies in which the user has hearing deficiencies to boost the frequencies in order to aid the user's ability to hear sounds falling in said ranges of frequencies; and   allowing the user to manually adjust one or more of: a frequency response, an equalization, a compression, or an amplitude of a volume, according to the user's hearing deficiencies.   
     
     
         7 ) The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 storing the unique hearing profile on a remote computing device; and   providing a communication protocol that enables a user to communicate the unique hearing profile to the assisted listening device.   
     
     
         8 ) The method of  claim 7 , wherein the unique hearing profile is manually configurable by the user via the remote computing device. 
     
     
         9 ) The method of  claim 8 , wherein the remote computing device includes a smart phone. 
     
     
         10 ) The method of  claim 8 , wherein the remote computing device includes a personal computing device. 
     
     
         11 ) The method of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more sound characteristics include frequency response. 
     
     
         12 ) The method of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more sound characteristics include compression. 
     
     
         13 ) The method of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more sound characteristics include equalization. 
     
     
         14 ) The method of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more sound characteristics include volume. 
     
     
         15 ) The method of  claim 9 , wherein the unique hearing profile is generated by the remote computing device based upon a series of tones generated by the remote computing device. 
     
     
         16 ) The method of  claim 15 , wherein the unique hearing profile is generated by a smart phone based upon a series of tones generated by the smart phone. 
     
     
         17 ) The method of  claim 15 , wherein the unique hearing profile is generated by a personal computer based upon a series of tones generated by the personal computer. 
     
     
         18 ) (canceled)